Author: Randall Reeder

COLUMBUS, Ohio: I feel sad for “my” friend Henry Ford. In 1908 he sold the first Model T Ford for $850. In a few years, half the vehicles on American roads, including those in the ditch, were Model T Fords.

Henry Ford accomplished this feat without government support or incentive payments to the buyers. And he never sold one for less than it cost to produce it.

Roughly a hundred years later, Henry’s great-grandson Bill Ford, and the Board of Directors, announced the company would take an immediate write off of $19,000,000,000 after losing $13,000,000,000 in four years of manufacturing an electric pickup, the Ford F-150 Lightning.

How and why did this happen? Bill Ford is a smart man. The Board is comprised of smart business people. But in 2021, President Biden followed the advice of climatologists and announced that any automotive manufacturer that hoped to be in business in ten years had better plan to shut down production of gasoline cars and trucks. All new vehicles would soon be electric, with the power coming from solar and wind.

So, Ford was coerced into spending billions to produce the Ford F-150 Lightning, then sell each one at a $50,000 loss.

Two weeks ago, in “Weekly Comments” I wrote about this situation, without the details. President Trump lifted the Biden-era restrictions on gasoline.

Of course, this is not without controversy. Many well-informed smart folks say that reducing carbon dioxide is more important than allowing us to drive vehicles that we prefer. And if manufacturers lose Billions, that’s better than the Trillions global warming will cost us. With rising ocean levels, coastal cities and communities will be swamped. With rising summer temperatures, the Corn Belt will become the new Cotton Belt.

Meanwhile, Congress left town without solving the over-priced health insurance problem. Here’s why the “Affordable Care Act” is unaffordable. Imagine an auto insurance company that announces they will only insure cars and trucks for lousy drivers. They know the claims will be at least triple the income from premiums, but are counting on the government to keep them in business. Now, this is not exactly how Obamacare was set up. But by setting the rates the same for healthy young folks as for people with chronic diseases and other health problems, it’s logical that healthy people would refuse to buy the insurance. Congress can’t seem to reach a compromise that keeps health insurance subsidies for low-income people, eliminates cheating, and reduces overall health costs for all of us, not just the 20- to 40-million on Obamacare.

I hope you are in the Christmas spirit. Men are glad to have three more days to decide what to buy for the women in their lives. And if you are buying your wife a new vehicle, please consider a Ford. They need a few million sales to make up the $32 Billion lost on Lightning.

Historic (Christmas) quotes by Will Rogers:

“I am too busy replacing presents to write today. I bought some mechanical and electric things for the kids and wore ’em out playing with ’em myself.”  DT #120, Dec. 23, 1926

“Merry Christmas, my constant readers, both of you…. Men, act surprised this morning as if you didn’t know the tie was coming.”  DT #121, Dec. 24, 1926

“Well, tomorrow is ‘wish’ day. Everybody is ‘wishing’ somebody something, and I guess it’s just as well everybody don’t know what they are being ‘wished.’ But, generally speaking, we do have good cheer in our hearts on Christmas. ‘Course, we can’t hardly wait till the day is over and to get back to our devilment again.” DT # 1379, Dec. 24, 1930

Wars, and rumors of wars. Some folks say we are at war with Venezuela. Did you know Thailand is at war with Cambodia?

Will Rogers wrote, “They are pretty bad, these big wars over Commerce. They kill more people. But one over religion is really the most bitter.” (WA #350, Sept. 8, 1929)

The biggest and longest war over religion is one that President Thomas Jefferson entered in 1801 against radical Muslims in the Mediterranean Sea. Attacks by radical Muslims continued through the years. The deadliest for us was on September 11, 2001. Israel was attacked on October 7, 2023. In a relatively minor attack, we lost two soldiers in Syria last week. Then yesterday in Australia, on the first day of Hanukkah, a pair of Islamic radicals killed at least 16 Jews and injured 40 others.

Radical Muslims have been in a religious war against Jews, Christians and everybody else for more than two hundred years. The hatred against Jews was allowed to expand here on college campuses and a few cities after the Oct. 7 murders. You may criticize President Trump, but he put an end to those campus takeovers. The FBI and Homeland Security are searching out potential Islamic murderers who either entered illegally or were welcomed as refugees from Afghanistan, Somalia and other countries.

In Australia, the government was warned for two years about radical Islamic influence but did nothing to stop it.

Unfortunately, the civilized world may be harassed by radical Muslims for another 200 years.

You probably heard that farmers will receive $12 Billion from USDA. And you may be wondering why. Well, the cost of the inputs a farmer needs to raise a crop (seed, fertilizer, diesel fuel, pesticides) has increased a lot over the last 5 or 6 years while the price received for those crops has been stagnant. Tariffs against China get part of the blame.

China has been a major buyer of our crops, especially soybeans. When President Trump started using tariffs as a way to balance trade, the Communist leader, Xi Jinping, decided to stop buying our soybeans to get even with Trump.

Our farmers are so productive that we depend on exports, especially for soybeans, corn, wheat and cotton, to use up our crops.

Ninety years ago, the plan was to reduce production. As Will Rogers said on radio, April 21, 1935, “Somebody had a plan to plow under every third acre of wheat…We wanted to raise commodity prices, and (Secretary of Agriculture) Henry Wallace, naturally wanted to give the farmer a profit.” For the last fifty years, the policy reversed: grow all we can grow, find non-food uses (ethanol from corn), and “feed the world.” But the world found other places they can get their food from, often at a cheaper price.

This is far from a complete explanation of why or how, or even which, farmers will receive their share of the money. The funds will come from tariffs already collected.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

        “This Tariff, it’s what started Politics… It split Washington and Jefferson…  (President) Hoover pulled a bad one when he ever let them kid him into promising to monkey with that thing. It was before election and he was trying to please everybody. All he had to promise to do was to get some sort of legislation to assist the Farmer. If there is one deed in Mr. Hoover’s life he would like to live over and have another crack at, it’s this same opening up that Tariff debate. For twenty men can enter a room as friends and someone can bring up the Tariff and you will find nineteen bodies on the floor with only one living that escaped. There is only one answer to it. ‘I want everything protected that I make, or raise, and I want everything to come in free that I have to buy.’ So as no two raise, make, eat and wear exactly the same things, there is no two that would ever agree 100 percent.” (WA #350, Sept. 8, 1929)

On this date in 1941, also a Sunday, Japan launched a surprise attack on our naval base at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. The USS Oklahoma and USS Arizona were sunk and other battleships were badly damaged. More than 2400 Americans were killed and 1100 wounded.

You may remember that last year the Biden Administration declared the average gas mileage for cars and SUVs would increase dramatically to 50 miles per gallon by 2031. In response, Ford, GM, and most other auto manufacturers invested billions in factories to build electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries. Why? Because it would be impossible to persuade us to trade our roomy SUVs and pick-ups that get 20 to 30 mpg for tiny gas-powered “minis” that get 50.

Meanwhile, the manufacturers have lost billions on the EVs they sold (with a $7500 rebate to the buyer). They have to charge more for gas-powered cars and trucks to make up for the loss.

The exception to this financial debacle is Tesla. Their EVs are popular and Tesla (Elon Musk) has made a pile of money. Tesla’s stock price in ten years rose from $15 to $450. Ford stock in 2015 was $9 and today it’s up to… $13.

This week, the Trump Administration canceled the 50-mpg requirement, reducing it to 35 miles per gallon.

I don’t pretend to know the business of building cars and trucks or what fuel they ought to run on. I’ve heard that we are getting short on electricity as demand, especially from huge data centers, is increasing faster than we are building baseload power plants. At the same time, we seem to have an abundance of oil.

New York City is gearing up for the new mayor. Except for the 1,100,000 that voted for Mr. Mamdani, everyone understands the wisdom from Winston Churchill, “The vice of capitalism is that it represents the unequal sharing of blessings; whereas socialism stands for the equal sharing of misery.”

On a high note, as we enter the Christmas season, we recognize a fellow who, 40 years ago, started building computers in his dorm room at the University of Texas. This week, Michael Dell and his wife announced they are donating $6.4 Billion to add to the $1000 accounts set up for every baby born in the next 3 years. That gift will add about $250 for each of those babies. Dell is encouraging other wealthy folks to donate. As Will Rogers wrote, “People are marvelous in their generosity if they just know the cause is there.” (DT #1523, June 10, 1931)

Here is an item in the new book by Jennifer Rogers and me, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: Seven Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else)”: On Henry Ford, who invented assembly line production for cars: “If there had never been a Ford car, there never would have been a cheap car…. Ford’s success is due to the fact he uses common sense in his business instead of a board of directors. He shames a lot of the other concerns in paying high wages. He believes in giving a man a job.” (Radio, June 1, 1930)

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

         “The best news in the paper today was no joke. The Rockefeller Foundation, for the health and betterment of people of all parts of the world, spent $22,000,000 last year and $144,000,000 since its organization in 1913. And it’s been worth $1,000,000 as an inspiration to other tremendous rich men to do fine things.   

          “The whole viewpoint of the people in regard to our rich men has been changed in the last few years. Now we judge a man’s greatness on how he has spent his money. I guess there has never been a time in our history when as many fools are making money as now. Just to be rich and nothing else, is practically a disgrace nowadays.” DT #897, June 11, 1929 (Note: this was 5 months before the stock market crashed)

Sarah Beckstrom, a young National Guard soldier from Webster County, West Virginia (about 30 miles from my hometown) was murdered by a radical Islamic Muslim from Afghanistan. He is in this country only because he was one of thousands flown here after our disastrous withdrawal from the country in 2021. He shot another West Virginia soldier, Andrew Wolfe, who may not survive.

We’re always generous towards those who help us in war. In the case of Afghans, we should have safely transported them to another country where Islam is the main religion. They would feel right at home there instead of being so frustrated a few of them decide to murder Americans.

We’ve got some home-grown nutty folks, too, including political leaders. They oppose law enforcement officers who are arresting dangerous criminals.

Switching from today’s news… here is a highlight from our new book, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: Seven Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else).”

“Will Rogers lived his life as a role model for leaders (and everyone else). ‘Live your life so that whenever you lose (it), you’re ahead.’ When Will wrote that in 1931, he added, ‘Get a few laughs, do the best you can.’

“Once, on the ‘lecture circuit,’ Will left his hotel and walked to the theater just in time to go on stage. Outside the theater, a group of black kids, teenagers, and probably a few adults were standing on the sidewalk, hoping to get a chance to see the famous Will Rogers. You might guess that a star performer would greet the group briefly and move on. But not Will. He pulled out his lassos and gave them a free show for at least 30 minutes, while the folks inside waited impatiently for him to take the stage. Why did Will do this? The theater was segregated. Those young Blacks were not allowed to go inside.

“In 1929, he made the first of 21 “talkies” (movies with sound). The producers and directors, including Oscar-winning John Ford, gave Will complete freedom to change scripts and alter scenes. Will used that freedom to promote the growth of fellow actors, including Lincoln Perry, known as Stepin’ Fetchit, Bill Robinson, known as Bojangles, and Henry B. Walthall. Will Rogers created situations where these three actors could grow beyond what was expected of them.”

This $5 book, by Jennifer Rogers and me, is available from: ShopWillRogers.com/collections/books. It can make a nice little gift slipped in with bigger presents.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

       “Like a lot of my big ideas, they don’t seem to work out. There must be a bit of college professor in me somewhere.” DT #2208, Aug. 31, 1933

Since this is Thanksgiving week I’m focusing on gratitude for blessings received in 2025.

I’ll start with the doctors and nurses at Riverside Methodist and Dublin Methodist Hospitals. They detected an aortic aneurysm and replaced it in July.

The rest of these are in random order.

My friends in the National Speakers Association and the Ohio Chapter of NSA are inspiring and generous with tips to make me a better speaker. Several have been friends for more than 30 years.

I’m grateful for friends and colleagues in my work as an agricultural engineer, especially at Ohio State University since 1979, and farmers and other professionals involved with no-till farming and soil health across the state and country. It is a pleasure to serve with them in making our food system the best in the world. Healthy soils are the foundation for healthy people.

Jennifer Rogers (Will’s great-granddaughter) is the co-author of our new book, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: 7 Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else).” At a time in the country when common sense is often lacking, this little book provides inspiring, uplifting stories from Will Rogers. We’re grateful for readers who have left wonderful messages. (Available for $4.95 at ShopWillRogers.com/collections/books)

Carl and Deb Potter of Haskell, Oklahoma, suggested I write a leadership book based on Will Rogers and in one evening we had the basic framework for it.

Tracey Jones, owner of TremendousLeadership.com, published our book. It is the 37^th in a series of Life-Changing Classics.

The YMCA in Hilliard provides the equipment to help me get in good physical shape and stay in shape.

Of course I’m grateful to family. My sister and a lot of cousins in West Virginia always welcome me when “Country Roads” take me back home. Our son and daughter, their spouses, and six granddaughters are delightful. The granddaughters are in the Gen Z generation and are nothing like the negative stereotype of that age group. They study hard, work hard, earn money, pay off loans, and they have lots of friends. The oldest is married to a Lt. in the new Space Force.

To all of you who read my Weekly Comments, I thank you also.

I’m grateful to others not mentioned here. I’ll thank them personally.

Who are you thankful for? What blessings have you received in 2025?

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

         “Thanksgiving Day. In the days of its founders, they were willing to give thanks for mighty little, for mighty little was all they expected. But now neither government or nature can give enough but what we think it’s too little. Those old boys in the Fall of the year, if they could gather in a few pumpkins, potatoes and some corn for the winter, they was in a thanking mood. But if we can’t gather in a new Buick, a new radio, a tuxedo and some government relief, why we feel like the world is agin us.” DT #2594, Nov. 28, 1934

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Eight Democrat Senators voted with Republicans to end the Shutdown after 43 days. I’ll let you reach your own conclusions about the Shutdown and the decision to end it.

Essential federal employees were working and “non-essential” employees were not working. Their paychecks are delayed, but ALL of them will receive their pay. A surprising number of Democrats wanted the Shutdown to continue indefinitely. I’ve heard they mainly wanted to hurt the Trump economy.

Speaking of the economy, a new political issue is “affordability.” Affordability has always been with us as a personal or family problem. But it hasn’t been viewed often as a divisive political topic.

You might like to drive a Cadillac Escalade but all you can afford is a Chevy. T-bone steak and lobster sound mighty tasty, but the main course for supper is usually chicken, hamburger, or pork loin. We cook our meals because it’s more affordable to eat at home than in a restaurant. It’s common sense that some items are more affordable than others. And we make choices accordingly.

But a smiling Socialist in New York City convinced 51% of the voters (especially young single women) that he can make living there “affordable.” How? By freezing rent prices, lowering other prices, and providing some things for free.

Concerning affordability, most of us make decisions throughout our lives. Not many wait for a Socialist politician to suddenly make everything affordable. A 12-year-old might decide to study harder on math and science because engineers make more than a waitress. Or at 15, a student might decide to concentrate on trade school to become a top welder. At 22, a new college grad passes up a job opportunity in New York City or San Francisco to take the same job in Tulsa or Tampa. Many more decisions we make affect affordability.

Our schools should teach affordability, otherwise known as economics. Spend as much time teaching about capitalism as they do Communism. Students (future voters) need to know the difference between a free capitalist society contrasted to Cuba or Venezuela.

Happy birthday Oklahoma! Became our 46th state on Nov. 16, 1907. Clem Rogers, Will’s dad, served on the board that wrote the state Constitution.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers:

          “Why don’t somebody print the truth about our present economic situation? We spent six years of wild buying on credit… This would be a great world to dance in if we didn’t have to pay the fiddler.” DT #1224, June 27, 1930

         “I started out on my little tour at Chicago… I don’t see how it is that people can afford to live in Chicago. They switched from pistols to Machine Guns, and now from Machine guns to Bombs. I can’t see how a poor man can afford it. Well anyway we had a… mighty appreciative audience. Chicago people are mighty fine when they live.” WA #272, March 11, 1928

Weekly Comments: Fasting and Praying. Common Sense in the Senate? #1284    Nov. 9, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio: We’re still shut down after 40 days. Even Jesus only had to spend 40 days in the Wilderness. He fasted and prayed, which is what a lot of federal employees and SNAP recipients are doing now.

Churches, businesses, and individuals are stepping up to provide food. As one example, the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma set aside $6.7 Million to help its citizens get through the Shutdown.

Will Rogers experienced the generosity of Americans, “People in America have got the money and will give if they know the need is there.” (DT #1411, Jan. 30, 1931)

Will Rogers also understood why Congress creates roadblocks to common sense solutions, “Now these fellows in Washington wouldn’t be so serious and particular if they only had to vote on what they thought was good for the majority of the people in the U.S. That would be a cinch. But what makes it hard for them is every time a bill comes up, they have things to decide that have nothing to do with the merit of the bill. The principal thing is of course: What will this do for me personally back home?…  A (lawmaker’s) thoughts are naturally on his next term more than on his country.” (WA #78, June 8, 1924)

The whole Shutdown debate seems to be over Obamacare. Officially it’s the “Affordable Care Act” and was passed in 2010 with the promise it would reduce the cost of health care. To be honest, when the folks in Congress passed it, they knew it would not reduce costs, and probably not be “affordable” for everyone. They promised to cover “pre-existing conditions” which is a wonderful, caring idea. But it’s expensive.

One reason Obamacare policies need tremendous subsidies is that you could sign up anytime you like. You didn’t have to sign up and start paying immediately or the day you turned 21.  So, many healthy young folks decided to take the risk until later in life. Also, most workers have health insurance provided through their employer. The result is Obamacare is overloaded with unhealthy people.

How many are on Obamacare? There is some disagreement but it ranges between 25 and 45 million. The Senate has hindered normal life for 330 million Americans for 40 days and nights because they can’t agree on how much to subsidize the health insurance for those 25 to 45 million. Should the subsidy continue at 80% or drop to 70%? And should people with incomes from $200,000 to $500,000 qualify for a subsidy?

Since I was flying last weekend, I want to personally thank the TSA folks and Air Traffic Controllers who were working. We know they will be paid, eventually. My Southwest flights both directions were on time so I had better thank those folks, too.

Historic quotes by Will Rogers:

“You can’t legislate intelligence and common sense into people.” DT #2377, March 16, 1934

“(Senator) Magnus Johnston says he is ‘going to use common sense in the Senate.’ That’s what they all say when they start in. But if nobody don’t understand you, you naturally have to switch.” WA #59, Jan. 27, 1934

Nov. 4, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Yes, Nov. 4 is “my” birthday. #146.

I’m a couple days late writing this edition because I was in Claremore, Oklahoma celebrating Will Rogers Days from Friday evening to Monday afternoon. The celebration is a little smaller than the Fourth of July nationally. But in Oklahoma, Will Rogers is #1.

A lot of folks wondered what Will would say about the folks in Washington today. And most of those who answered, including the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, said Will would be disgusted. Disgusted with both sides.

Any common horse sense that ever existed in our nation’s capital has left the barn.

It’s been so long since the government shut down, you may have forgotten what caused it. Since Congress could not agree on a new budget by Sept. 30, the House passed a bill to continue spending at the current level for another seven weeks. Several times since then, “Congress [Senate] met and adjourned right away. One more day’s salary for six hundred went up the taxpayers’ flue.” (DT #103, Dec. 6, 1926)

In the Senate, the simple majority does not rule. For important bills, like the budget, the Senate rules require 60%, or 60 votes. Republicans have 53 Senators, so they need at least 7 Democrats to agree.

Since Republicans have majorities in Congress, plus the President, Democrats blame Republicans for the Shutdown. When a Conservative points out the 60% rule, Liberals claim they are ignorant because they watch Fox News. But really, what Conservatives have been watching is the World Series and football. And after almost every NFL football game, the opposing team members greet each other pleasantly, without the losers demanding a piece of the winner’s prize.

In today’s election, Democrats walloped Republicans. Democrat candidates for Governor easily won in Virginia and New Jersey. According to their campaign speeches, they were running against Donald Trump. The new Attorney General of Virginia favors the death penalty, by firing squad. The losing Republicans agree with Will Rogers, “Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money to even get beat with nowadays.” (DT #1538, June 28, 1931)

The new mayor of New York City, Mr. Mamdani, will solve the homeless problem by housing them in city buses. He does not believe Billionaires should exist in NYC. His wish will be granted because all the Billionaires, and most of the millionaires, will move to Florida or Texas. Police stations will be converted to city-run groceries. Operating similar to Russian groceries in the 1950s, the price tags on the front of each shelf will show a price less than half the same item at Kroger or Walmart. Only problem is the shelves will be empty.

In California, the voters decided they don’t want any Republicans in Congress. They figured since Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Wyoming don’t have any Democrats in Congress, California shouldn’t have any Republicans. Well, maybe one or two.

While Republicans and Democrats in Congress argue over the amount of subsidies needed for health insurance, 40 million have lost their food stamps (SNAP). During the Great Depression, with 25% unemployed, Will Rogers wrote, “Congress yesterday turned down the $15 million food bill… You can get a road anywhere you want to out of the government, but you can’t get a sandwich.” (DT #1398, Jan. 15, 1931).  Since California has the most people dependent on SNAP, and New Mexico the highest percentage, maybe their Senators should vote to end the Shutdown or at least fund SNAP.

Will Rogers said, “I’m not a member of any organized political party… I’m a Democrat.” But by golly, today the Democrats were totally organized, mainly by the leadership of Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett, Rashida Tlaib, Gavin Newsom, and now Zohran Mamdani. There’s nobody in that group equal to Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, or Bill Clinton.

With the election over, if Congress doesn’t reach agreement and end the Shutdown, we’ll all be even more disgusted with ‘em.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

“Look at what we produce, and there is only about one third of us producing anything. The two thirds are living off the one third, and then we got more than we can sell… For that’s what’s the matter with us. No Country ever had more, and no Country ever had less. Ten men in our Country could buy the World, and ten million can’t buy enough to eat.” (WA #451, Aug. 16, 1931)

Randall Reeder   WillRogersToday(dot)com.     614-477-0439

The government Shutdown continues, so I am “shutting down” comments about the government.

Jennifer Rogers and I are proud to announce…(drum roll)… we wrote a new little book, “Common Horse Sense from Will Rogers: Seven Timeless Tips for Leaders (and Everyone Else).”

Jennifer is Will’s great-granddaughter. She lives in Claremore, Oklahoma (across the street from the Will Rogers Memorial Museum) and is dedicating her life to promoting the legacy of Will Rogers. We’ve been friends for many years.

The book is filled with stories by Will about his servant leadership, plus ones we wrote. Will was a comforter. He put on shows to raise money for victims of floods, drought, earthquakes and deadly fires. Before one show, he wrote, “They will get every cent that comes in, even if there is nobody there but my wife – who will have to pay to get in.” Of course, the show was a sellout.

If Will were alive today, he would be preparing to raise money for the hurricane victims in Jamaica. (Should Jennifer and I do a fund raiser while I’m in Claremore and Tulsa next weekend?)

Can you relate to this? Will said a person “learns by two things, one is reading and the other is associating with smarter people.” Will is known for “All I know is what I read in the newspaper.” Will read several papers to get different views, and humor for his shows.  He was friends with prominent leaders (smarter people) including Henry Ford, Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Prince of Wales, Gen. Billy Mitchell, and Charles Lindbergh. Who are you associating with in your community?

Will was an “Influencer” and “Thought Leader” before those terms were invented. He never held office or built a big business, yet he influenced presidents, comforted families and nations, and made the world laugh – on purpose. His syndicated newspaper columns (daily and weekly) were read by millions. He pushed for a pension for old folks (which became Social Security) and relief for the farmers (which led to the first Farm Bill). His unscripted radio show with a live audience on Sunday nights was the forerunner of our late-night TV shows. He developed techniques that professional speakers and comedians still use today.

Reminder: you don’t have to have a title, such as CEO, President, Principal, or Sales Manager, to be a leader. We wrote this book to give tips and ideas to serve others yourself.

You can order from “ShopWillRogers.com” for $4.95 each. If you are interested in a large number of books for gifts for family and/or business clients send me an email: .

This book is one of 37 “Life-Changing Classics” published by TremendousLeadership.com. They offer bulk sales.

Historic quote by Will Rogers:

       “I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn’t like.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio: Well, I had better mention the elephant in the room (or donkey). On Saturday morning hundreds of thousands of Democrats across the country, including in Republican states, gathered to hold up signs, sing, and talk among themselves about how terrible the Trump Administration is.

From their standpoint, Democrats are convinced that Trump is a Fascist, like Mussolini in Italy, and a Nazi, like Hitler and his Gestapo. Trump will remove people he doesn’t like whether they are illegal immigrant criminals or ordinary citizens, cancel the 2028 election, and cause oceans to flood our coasts from burning coal and gas.

From the standpoint of Republicans, these Democrats are plumb nutty.       Instead of killing 6,000,000 Jews, Trump is working to end Hamas’ war against Jews. Republicans want to use our own natural resources instead of enriching China by sending them trillions of dollars for solar panels and windmill blades. And if you ask ‘em, most Republicans would offer a $100 bet that the election on Nov. 7, 2028 will not be canceled.

These “No King” celebrations are so popular I suggest they go ahead and schedule one for the last week in December. And maybe one on Easter weekend.

I’ll end this with a question: if Trump was a King, would 7 people out of 330,000,000 be able to shut down the entire federal government?

The Shutdown continues. Millions are being harmed, including government employees who are not being paid and anyone who is owed money by those unpaid employees. Others are hurt by decreased services.

Will Rogers wrote 93 years ago, “What the government has got to do is live as cheap as the people.” (DT #1990, Dec. 21, 1932) But Democrat Senators are demanding an extra $1.5 Trillion from taxpayers to end the Shutdown.

The main argument is on, who deserves healthcare subsidies and who does not? Democrats want to add more money and cover more people. Republicans say the extra subsidies added “temporarily” in 2021 because of Covid need to end on Dec. 31, and illegal immigrants should not receive free healthcare.

In the winter of 1935, New York City had a major snowstorm. Unfortunately, the men who were usually eager to plow and shovel snow didn’t show up to work. Will Rogers wrote, “When the impression gets around that people are being fed who won’t work, you will have an about-face on this relief situation. Nobody can kick on honest [people] deserving relief, and nobody can be blamed for kicking on relieving somebody when they won’t work. The governments and towns have got to find some way of telling them apart.” (DT #2650, Feb. 1, 1935)

Concerning illegal immigrants, many who came here years ago are more eager to work than our own native-born folks who, given a choice, prefer to live on relief. As a farm boy years ago, I can assure you we did “dirty jobs” that very few Americans want to do today. And there aren’t enough former farm kids to do that work.

         Historic quote by Will Rogers:

         “Now, [Congress] wouldn’t be so serious and particular if they only had to vote on what they thought was good for the majority of the people of the U.S. That would be a cinch.” WA #78, June 8, 1924